Facebook: Alleged #CharlestonShooting suspect appears to have had many African American friends

What truth is there to the race discussion?

After the recent Charleston shooting strategy, where a church with African Americans was targeted, journalists and social media enthusiasts have been searching for clues to what’s been going on in the Charleston, South Carolina there has been a lot of mention of Dylann Roof, the suspect who has been arrested in relation to the shooting.

Responding to tragedy with love

I’ve seen several people in my Facebook timeline comment on the shooting while sharing an article that had a lone comment from African American pianist and Gospel performer Marcus Stanley which reads as follow:

I don’t know you, but when I searched for your name from the news outlets it led me here. You’re not captured yet, so there is a chance that you may see this message. I don’t look at you with the eyes of hatred, or judge you by your appearance or race, but I look at you as a human being that made a horrible decision to take the lives of 9 living & breathing people. Children do not grow up with hatred in their hearts. In this world we are born color blind. Somewhere along the line, you were taught to hate people that are not like you, and that is truly tragic. You have accomplished nothing from this killing, but planting seeds of pain that will forever remain in the hearts of the families that lost their lives and countless hearts around our country. If you’re still out there and you have your phone with you… Give your heart to Jesus and confess your sins with a heart of forgiveness. He is the only one that can save your soul and forgive you for the terrible act that you have done. I love you Dylann… even in the midst of the darkness and pain you’ve caused, but more importantly HE loves you.
If you would like to make that confession, then repeat these words.
Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.
I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.
You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.
Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.
Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.
God bless you Dylann

I thought the comment was beautiful. It is beautiful.

Roof had African American Facebook friends

But another interesting thing is the high number of African American Facebook friends. And not just one or two, but quite a large number, considering he only had 81 Facebook friends! (h/t Steve Terrell, the Santa Fe New Mexican)

Does this offer any insight?

My first thought was– why do we only see 2015 activity out of the Dylann Roof Facebook account? Is the Facebook account even legitimate?